A meeting was held yesterday between the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the Heads of Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank and the Regional Development Bank to expedite the “Enterprise Sri Lanka” loan programme.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, Hon. Mangala Samaraweera with the participation of the Minister of Highways, Higher Education and Investment Promotions, Hon. Kabir Hashim, State Minister for Finance, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Deputy Minister of Finance and Media, Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Secretary to the Treasury Dr.R.H.S. Samaratunge, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy, the Chairmen of State Banks and other top officials of the 03 State Banks.

During the discussions, it was decided to conduct training programs for all new entrepreneurs, district wise, along with the Central Bank officials on how to develop a business plan prior to applying for a loan and to continue assisting them through the loan process.

Furthermore, a monthly progress report will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance on the disbursement of loans.

It was also decided to revise the loan facilities to accommodate very small-scale businesses and to simplify the registration of businesses through the local authority/Divisional Secretariat.

The Finance Ministry, the Central Bank and the 03 State Banks also agreed to meet once a month to discuss the progress of the “Enterprise Sri Lanka” programme.

A special hotline will also be set up register any feedback from the loan applicants.